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February 25, 2005
Enchanted acting at Stanley
Director Rachel Ditor is behind this delightful production set
in Tuscany.
BAILA LAZARUS
It's a pity this review couldn't be out before Valentine's Day
because Enchanted April is one of those feel-good, happy-ending
plays that make going to the theatre a perfect evening for a date.
As it is, though, a dream-like setting in beautiful Tuscany, with
a wonderful, romantic theme, excellent acting and April just around
the corner, makes this play a great night out this time of year,
as well.
Based on the 1922 novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, the production follows
four women, each with their own problems, skeletons, exes and husbands,
who decide to spend April away from their homes in London by renting
a castle in Italy.
The group is brought together by Lotty (Jillian Fargey), who, on
a rainy Hampstead day, sees an ad for a house-sit in Tuscany. Tired
of a boring marriage, she collects three other women to join her
for the trip. Rose (Moya O'Connell) shares Lotty's disappointment
in marriage but is worried what her husband will say about her leaving.
It's only Lotty's idyllic description of the castle and blind optimism
that convince Rose to join her for the trip. Then there's Lady Caroline
(Lara Gilchrist), a beautiful but lonely woman who hides a sad secret.
And, finally, the aptly named Mrs. Graves (Shirley Broderick), a
crotchety old woman who threatens to make everyone's vacation miserable.
And even though the four don't seem destined to have a Club Med
vacation, Lotty's optimism and cheery diplomacy manage to bring
them all together. In fact, Lotty goes around so cheerfully, one
would swear she stashed a heavy dose of Prozac in her travel bag.
Over the course of the vacation, all four women end up getting along,
all the husbands end up back with their wives with new-found respect,
admiration and excitement, Lady Caroline has found a partner and
Mrs. Graves goes off with the cook.
The play is skilfully directed by Rachel Ditor, a St. Catharines
native who settled in Vancouver 10 years ago. Among her activities
in theatre was as director of the performing arts school at the
Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver. Though she has directed
several plays over the years, she seems especially enamored with
Enchanted April.
"I loved the play and grew to love it more and more, which
is not always the case," said Ditor. "Sometimes, you have
to go back to your initial interest and go back to find out what
you loved about it. The more I worked at this play the more I loved
it. It has a really good heart."
For Ditor, it is the clarity of the characters that makes the play
work.
"I was really looking for people who have emotional transparency,"
she explained. "I think that's why we go to the theatre."
Ultimately, the play rests on the character of Lotty – the
way she gathers her troupe like a mother hen gathering her chicks,
the way she intervenes whenever there threatens to be a falling
out and the way she convinces each houseguest to take advantage
of the beautiful surroundings. In many ways, Lotty's character is
almost too hopeful to be believed.
"I feel very strongly in what Lotty has to say," said
Ditor. "If you just act like you believe, you won't be disappointed.
It's the ability to find that faith in spite of what you believe
about the world. Even a feeling of wishing there was someone you
could share a sunset with can have a strong impact."
As for myself, I felt a bit like a guy at a chick flick. But that's
just cynicism talking, I'm sure.
Enchanted April runs at the Stanley Theatre until March 6.
For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 604-280-3311, the box office at
604-687-1644 or visit www.artsclub.com.
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